Kilimanjaro Tours

Wilderness Travel pioneered the Lemosho-Crater Camp Route in 1989 and we consider it the best route to the summit. Why? It is the most scenic and least-traveled route up Kilimanjaro. With a full seven days on the ascent, this route also provides maximum time for acclimatization and therefore the greatest chance of reaching to top—we have a 98% summit success rate!

We give a detailed summary all the different climbing options on Kilimanjaro, and explain the difference between each.

As with most mountain areas, the weather on Kilimanjaro can change abruptly so you need to be ready for these sudden changes. Kilimanjaro was described by NOVA as “a world in miniature” where you can “journey from dry fields and farms into steaming jungles, then up through exotic heaths and moorlands to an alpine desert and finally a glaciated summit.”

The snow line usually begins at 17,000′ or 18,000′, but a sudden storm may bring it as low as 14,000′. Daytime temperatures range from the 50s to the 70sºF at altitudes from 7,500′, where we start the climb, to about 12,000′. Above this altitude, daytime temperatures are lower, ranging from the high teens to low 40s, and evening temperatures can drop to 10ºF or even lower.

With any hiking adventure, it’s important to be adequately prepared both mentally and physically. If possible, start training several months before departure. Increasing your cardio routine will improve your stamina on the mountain. Activities like hiking, running, using a StairMaster, or bike-riding are great choices and, when combined, can really help boost your fitness levels. Increase your strength and endurance with weight and resistance workouts. Hiking with a 10-20 pound daypack is the most beneficial activity.

Wilderness Travel offers full-service camping on Kilimanjaro. Most trip members are pleasantly surprised by the comfort of our mountain camps considering we’re on a high altitude expedition! We use three-person tents for only two people, ensuring a fair amount of space for sleeping. We serve meals in a large solar-lit dining tent with table and chairs with back support. The dining tent is a nice place to relax and socialize while drinking tea or coffee in the evening. Our mountain staff is highly trained and will take care of all the logistics so you can relax and enjoy the climb.

You’ll be climbing the highest peak in Africa—the food that fuels you is an essential ingredient in your summit success. Meals should be high in calories with the proper balance of complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats to help sustain your increased level of exertion. We’ve designed our menus to include the right nutrition to keep you going on the climb, with three hearty meals a day, plus tasty trail snacks—the simple sugars in these are helpful in providing a boost of energy to keep you going. We provide a sample menu and further details below!

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a rigorous, but non-technical, hike that goes to high altitudes. All travel in the mountains involves inherent dangers, which can never be totally controlled. With that said, seeing to your safety is our primary concern. See below for the steps we take, the equipment we bring, and the rigorous training we put all our guides through to ensure your safety on the mountain.